5 Secrets to Writing a Cover Letter That Lands You an Interview

You’ve put together the perfect resume that any employer would be silly to overlook. But, there’s still one thing left to do – write your cover letter. In theory, this seems like a simple task, however, once you get started, it can be difficult to summarize all your skills, experience, and strengths in just a few paragraphs. Plus, you need to be careful that it’s not just a summary of your resume. With job competition high in many industries, how can you make your cover letter stand out to potential employers and make them want to learn more? Let’s find out!

Tip #1. Keep it Short and to the Point:

When writing both your resume and your cover letter, you should always try and put yourself in the employer or hiring manager’s shoes. Often, managers have hundreds or even thousands of resumes to read through, and a cover letter that goes on for pages can quickly put them off. You should aim for just one or two paragraphs at the most to describe your skills and why you feel you are a good fit for the particular position.

Tip #2. Do Your Research:

Along with information about your skills, experience and qualifications, your potential employers will also be impressed by evidence that you know something about the company. Before writing your cover letter, it’s a good idea to take the time to do some background research on your potential employer; having a solid understanding of their values, message, and goals of the future shows that you are passionate about working for them. It also demonstrates initiative, a quality that many employers look out for.

Tip #3. Professional Formatting:

Consider changing the format of your cover letter to make it more professional. Depending on the type of job that you are applying for, you can use various colors; this is often seen in the arts and media industries. You can use professional letterhead design templates to create a cover letter that is as visually pleasing as it is interesting.

Tip #4. Tailor it to the Employer:

If you’re currently out of work or trying to find a new position, then you might be applying to a variety of different roles at the same time. So, to save time, you might have written, or be in the process of writing, a cover letter that will work for all of them, even if the industries or roles differ slightly. However, while this may be more convenient, it can also be risky; generic cover letters are far likely to get thrown in the trash. Tailoring your cover letter to each role will make it easier for managers to relate.

Tip #5. Get Personal:

Lastly, if you know the name of the person who is going to be reading the resumes or making the final decision on hiring you, then address them by this in your cover letter. Generic openings such as ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ should only be used if it is impossible for you to discover the recipient’s name first.